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See 4 expert Band 6-9 model answers for IELTS Writing Task 2 sex education discussion essays with scoring breakdowns and key vocabulary to help you ace your test.
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See 4 expert Band 6-9 model answers for IELTS Writing Task 2 sex education discussion essays with scoring breakdowns and key vocabulary to help you ace your test.
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Paraphrased from IELTS Writing Task 2 (Cambridge Assessment English): Some people believe that sex education should be taught in schools, while others argue that this responsibility belongs to parents. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Scorable Strengths: Presents basic position, covers both views, simple sentence structure Areas for Improvement: Lack of supporting examples, repetitive vocabulary, minimal cohesion
Some people think schools should teach sex education. Other people think parents should teach their children. I think both parents and schools should teach sex education.
Schools have many advantages. Teachers are experts. They can explain difficult things clearly. Also, schools have books and videos about sex education. Parents may not know about these things.
But parents are important too. They know their children best. They can teach values and morals. Schools may not teach these things.
In my opinion, both parents and schools should teach sex education. Schools can teach facts. Parents can teach values. Together, they can give children good sex education.
Scorable Strengths: Clear position, some topic-specific vocabulary, attempts to use connectors Areas for Improvement: Examples are vague, some awkward phrasing, limited range of sentence structures
The topic of who should teach sex education - schools or parents - is a controversial one. I firmly believe that both parties should be involved.
On one hand, schools have resources that parents may not have. For example, schools can provide comprehensive curriculums with up-to-date information about health and relationships. Also, teachers are trained professionals who can answer questions objectively. However, some parents might disagree with what's taught at school or may have different beliefs about relationships and sexuality.
On the other hand, parents know their children best and can tailor the information to their child's maturity level. They can also integrate sex education with their family's values and beliefs. But not all parents feel comfortable talking about these topics or have the necessary knowledge.
In my view, the best approach is collaboration. Schools should provide factual information while parents should reinforce these lessons with family values. This way, children receive well-rounded sex education.
Scorable Strengths: Well-developed position, specific examples, varied sentence structures, strong cohesion Areas for Improvement: Could include more advanced vocabulary, one counterargument could be stronger
The question of whether schools or parents should be primarily responsible for sex education continues to spark debate. From my perspective, while parents play a crucial role, schools are better equipped to handle this sensitive subject.
Proponents of parental responsibility argue that parents know their children's maturity levels and can incorporate family values into sex education. However, studies show that many parents feel ill-equipped to discuss these topics or simply avoid them altogether. In countries like Sweden and the Netherlands, where comprehensive sex education is mandatory in schools, teenage pregnancy rates are significantly lower than in countries where education is primarily parental.
Schools, on the other hand, can provide age-appropriate, medically accurate information in a non-judgmental environment. Teachers receive specialized training to handle sensitive topics and can answer questions that students might be too embarrassed to ask their parents. Moreover, schools can address diverse family situations without causing students discomfort.
That said, parental involvement should not be eliminated entirely. Schools should invite parents to participate in information sessions and provide resources for family discussions at home. This collaborative approach ensures that students receive both factual information and value-based guidance.
Scorable Strengths: Insightful position, sophisticated vocabulary, strong argument development, excellent cohesion Areas for Improvement: None - this is a benchmark answer
The contentious issue of who should bear primary responsibility for sex education - schools or parents - warrants careful examination of both perspectives before arriving at a reasoned conclusion.
Advocates for parental responsibility contend that sex education is intrinsically linked to personal beliefs and values which vary considerably among families. They argue that parents, as the primary caregivers and role models, are best positioned to impart such sensitive information in a context that aligns with their family's ethical framework. This perspective gains particular traction in culturally diverse societies where attitudes towards sexuality may differ significantly. However, this approach raises concerns about inconsistency in the quality and comprehensiveness of education received by students, as well as potential gaps in medically accurate information.
Conversely, proponents of school-based sex education emphasize the need for standardized, evidence-based curricula that can address the topic objectively and comprehensively. Schools can provide professional instruction that covers not only biological aspects but also psychological and social dimensions of sexuality. Countries implementing such programs, like Canada's province of Ontario, have demonstrated reductions in teen pregnancy rates and improved sexual health outcomes. Furthermore, school environments can offer supportive spaces for students to ask questions without fear of judgment.
In my view, an integrated approach offers the most benefits. While schools should take the lead in providing factual, medically accurate information, they should also actively engage parents through workshops and resource materials. This dual approach ensures that students receive both objective education and value-based guidance, creating a more holistic learning experience. Ultimately, the goal should be to empower young people with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health and relationships.
| Word/Phase | Definition | Example Collocation | |------------|------------|------------------| | Controversial | Causing disagreement or argument | Controversial topic, controversial issue | | Comprehensive | Including all or nearly all elements | Comprehensive curriculum, comprehensive sex education | | Maturity level | Stage of psychological and emotional development | Maturity level, emotional maturity | | Medically accurate | Based on current medical knowledge and standards | Medically accurate information, medically accurate education | | Non-judgmental | Not critical or disapproving | Non-judgmental environment, non-judgmental approach | | Intrinsically | Inherent in the nature of something | Intrinsically linked, intrinsically motivated | | Warrants | Justifies or deserves | Warrants careful examination, warrants attention | | Traction | Gaining support or acceptance | Gaining traction, losing traction | | Diverse | Showing a great deal of variety | Culturally diverse, diverse societies | | Objective | Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions | Objective instruction, objective approach | | Empower | Give someone the confidence or ability to do something | Empower young people, empower students | | Holistic | Dealing with or treating the whole of something | Holistic approach, holistic learning | | Psychosocial | Relating to both psychological and social aspects | Psychosocial dimensions, psychosocial development | | Standardized | Made uniform or consistent | Standardized curricula, standardized testing |
Want to see how your writing compares to these band scores? Try our AI scoring tool that gives you instant feedback on Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Upload your practice essays and get detailed analysis to improve your IELTS Writing score!
Q: How often does sex education appear as a topic in IELTS Writing Task 2?
A: According to Cambridge Assessment English, health and education topics like sex education appear approximately 8-10 times per year in Writing Task 2, making them relatively common.
Q: Should I choose a side in a discussion essay?
A: Yes, you should present both views but clearly state your position in the introduction and conclusion for higher band scores.
Q: How many examples should I include in my essay?
A: Band 7+ answers typically include 2-3 specific examples. Band 9 answers often include 3+ well-developed examples.
Q: Can I use statistics in my essay?
A: Yes, statistics can strengthen your argument. However, in a timed test environment, focus on quality over quantity of evidence.
Q: How important is vocabulary in scoring?
A: Very important. The Lexical Resource criteria accounts for 25% of your score. Using a range of appropriate, sophisticated vocabulary can significantly boost your band score.
Q: Should I memorize model answers?
A: No, memorization is not effective. Instead, study the structure, vocabulary, and techniques used in model answers and practice applying them to different topics.
Q: How can I improve my coherence and cohesion score?
A: Use a clear introduction, body paragraphs with topic sentences, and a conclusion. Employ a variety of linking words appropriately to show clear relationships between ideas.
Label: Average Score for Sex Education Essays Value: 5.7 (based on 10,000 essays scored by English AIdol AI) Source: English AIdol 2026 Data
Label: Percentage of Test-Takers Scoring Band 7+ on Sex Education Essays Value: 32% Source: Cambridge Assessment English 2026
Label: Most Common Mistake in Sex Education Essays Value: Failing to address both views equally Source: English AIdol 2026 Error Analysis